On Tuesday, the San Marcos City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution to place a measure on the November 5, 2024, ballot to establish a one-cent sales tax that will provide an estimated $20 million in locally-controlled funding annually to support the City’s high quality of life, including repairing and maintaining streets, parks and ensuring rapid emergency response and public safety.
Official City reports demonstrate that additional funding is necessary to maintain and improve emergency response, fix and maintain roads and storm drains, and generally keep San Marcos clean, safe and well-maintained. By law, all funds must stay local in San Marcos and no funds can be taken away by the State of California.
“We are committed to continue delivering quality City services and programs to the San Marcos community,” said Mayor Rebecca Jones. “Our city is one of the safest in the state because we intentionally prioritize protecting our community and investing in what matters.”
If approved, the sales tax will provide funding for the City to maintain essential city services, including:
Improve roads, intersections, bike lanes and signals to improve traffic and safety and reduce congestion
Maintain trails, sports fields, playgrounds, community facilities and 44 local parks totaling nearly 300 acres
Fix potholes and maintain 204 miles of city streets
Ensure quick responses to 9-1-1 emergencies, fire protection and paramedic services
Clean and maintain local lakes, creeks and waterways
Maintain and upgrade outdated infrastructure, including 126 miles of aging, underground storm drains
Spending would be subject to an independent citizens’ oversight group with annual audits. Purchases such as groceries, prescription medicine, diapers and feminine hygiene products are exempt from sales tax.
It is estimated that 40 percent of sales tax revenue in the City is currently paid by tourists and visitors.
For more information, please visit the City’s local funding measure webpage.
